Healthy Homes Standards Compliance
Published: November 6, 2024
New Zealand's Healthy Homes Standards are mandatory requirements that ensure rental properties are warm, dry, and safe. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and legal action from tenants.
Key Takeaways
- • All rental properties must comply with Healthy Homes Standards
- • Compliance deadline: July 1, 2024 (already passed for all tenancies)
- • Five key areas: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, draught stopping
- • Penalties up to $4,000 for landlords who don't comply
What Are Healthy Homes Standards?
Introduced in July 2019, the Healthy Homes Standards set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in all rental properties. These standards aim to improve the quality of New Zealand's rental housing and reduce health issues caused by cold, damp homes.
Legal Requirement: All rental properties must comply with these standards. Landlords must provide tenants with a completed Healthy Homes Standards compliance statement within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy.
The Five Standards Explained
1. Heating Standard
Every living room must have a fixed heating source that can heat the room to at least 18°C.
Acceptable Heating Options:
- ✓ Heat pumps (most common and efficient)
- ✓ Fixed electric heaters (panel, convection, or radiant)
- ✓ Enclosed wood burners or pellet fires
- ✓ Fixed gas heaters (properly flued)
- ✓ Underfloor or ceiling heating systems
Not Acceptable:
- ✗ Portable plug-in heaters
- ✗ Unflued gas heaters
- ✗ Open fires
The heater must be able to maintain 18°C when it's 7°C outside, based on the room's size and insulation level.
2. Insulation Standard
Ceiling and underfloor insulation must meet minimum R-values (thermal resistance ratings) based on the property's climate zone.
Minimum R-Values (Dunedin - Zone 3):
- • Ceiling insulation: R-3.3
- • Underfloor insulation: R-2.5 (if accessible and safe to install)
Important Notes:
- • Insulation must be in good condition (no damage or compression)
- • Landlords must keep records proving insulation compliance
- • If underfloor insulation isn't safe or practical, exemption may apply
- • Wall insulation not currently required but recommended
3. Ventilation Standard
Properties must have adequate ventilation to reduce condensation and improve air quality.
Required Ventilation:
- • Kitchen: Extractor fan vented outside (may be rangehood)
- • Bathroom: Extractor fan vented outside (if no openable window)
- • Living rooms: Openable windows equal to 5% of floor area
- • Bedrooms: Openable windows equal to 5% of floor area
All extractor fans must be working properly and vent directly outside (not into ceiling spaces).
4. Moisture Ingress & Drainage
Properties must be protected from water damage and have effective drainage.
Requirements:
- • Roof and gutters in good repair (no leaks)
- • Downpipes and drains functioning properly
- • Ground moisture barrier required if building has a sub-floor space
- • No signs of significant moisture penetration
- • Adequate drainage around the property
5. Draught Stopping
Unnecessary gaps and holes that cause draughts must be blocked.
Areas to Address:
- • Gaps around windows and doors
- • Unused chimneys and fireplaces
- • Holes around pipes and wiring
- • Gaps in floors and skirting boards
- • Ceiling penetrations (lights, vents)
Deliberate ventilation (like vents and trickle vents) should remain open and functional.
Compliance Deadlines
All rental properties in New Zealand must now comply with the Healthy Homes Standards:
- • Boarding houses: July 1, 2021
- • New and renewed tenancies: July 1, 2021
- • All other rental properties: July 1, 2024
All properties should now be compliant. If your property isn't compliant, you risk penalties and tenant claims.
Costs & Investment
The cost of compliance varies significantly depending on your property's current condition:
Heat Pump Installation
Most effective heating solution
Ceiling Insulation
Top-up or full installation
Underfloor Insulation
If accessible and practical
Extractor Fans
Kitchen and bathroom (per fan)
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Landlords who don't comply with Healthy Homes Standards face serious consequences:
- • Exemplary damages: Up to $4,000 awarded to the tenant
- • Unlawful acts: Additional penalties from Tenancy Tribunal
- • Rent reduction: Tribunal may order rent reduction until compliant
- • Tenant termination rights: Tenants can end tenancy with 28 days notice
Regional Variations and Climate Zones
New Zealand is divided into climate zones that affect insulation requirements. Understanding your property's zone is crucial for compliance:
Climate Zone Map
Zone 1 (Warmest)
Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty
- • Ceiling: R-2.9
- • Underfloor: R-1.9
Zone 2 (Moderate)
Waikato, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington
- • Ceiling: R-3.3
- • Underfloor: R-2.5
Zone 3 (Coldest)
Canterbury, Otago, Southland, West Coast
- • Ceiling: R-3.3
- • Underfloor: R-2.5
Special Considerations for Dunedin Properties
As a Zone 3 location, Dunedin properties face unique challenges:
- • Higher insulation requirements due to colder climate
- • Greater emphasis on heating efficiency and capacity
- • Increased risk of condensation and moisture issues
- • More stringent draught-stopping requirements
- • Higher potential energy savings from compliance upgrades
Step-by-Step Compliance Process
Achieving Healthy Homes compliance requires a systematic approach to assessment, planning, and implementation:
Initial Property Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation of current property condition:
- • Heating system capacity and efficiency assessment
- • Insulation inspection and R-value measurement
- • Ventilation system functionality check
- • Moisture and drainage evaluation
- • Draught identification and measurement
Compliance Gap Analysis
Detailed report identifying areas requiring improvement:
- • Specific standard requirements not currently met
- • Priority ranking of necessary improvements
- • Cost estimates for each required upgrade
- • Timeline recommendations for implementation
- • Alternative solutions where applicable
Implementation Planning
Strategic approach to completing required work:
- • Contractor selection and quote comparison
- • Work scheduling to minimize tenant disruption
- • Permit and consent applications where required
- • Material procurement and quality assurance
- • Progress monitoring and quality control
Documentation and Certification
Comprehensive record-keeping for compliance proof:
- • Installation certificates and warranties
- • Before and after photographic evidence
- • Compliance statement preparation
- • Tenant notification and documentation
- • Ongoing maintenance schedule establishment
Common Compliance Challenges and Solutions
Many landlords face similar challenges when upgrading properties to meet Healthy Homes Standards. Understanding these issues and their solutions helps ensure successful compliance:
Budget Constraints
High upfront costs can be challenging, but several strategies can help:
- • Phased implementation: Prioritize most critical requirements first
- • Government grants: Warmer Kiwi Homes and other subsidy programs
- • Tax deductions: Claim improvements as tax-deductible expenses
- • Energy savings: Factor in reduced ongoing heating costs
- • Property value increase: Compliance adds to property worth
Older Property Limitations
Heritage and older properties may have unique constraints:
- • Heritage restrictions: Work with council for approved solutions
- • Structural limitations: Professional assessment for safe modifications
- • Access difficulties: Specialized techniques for tight spaces
- • Electrical upgrades: May need rewiring for modern heating systems
- • Alternative compliance: Performance-based solutions where standards can't be met
Tenant Management During Upgrades
Minimizing disruption while completing necessary work:
- • Clear communication: Explain benefits and timeline to tenants
- • Scheduling coordination: Work around tenant availability
- • Temporary accommodation: Consider alternatives for major work
- • Rent adjustments: Fair compensation for significant disruption
- • Progress updates: Regular communication throughout the process
Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring
Achieving compliance is just the beginning. Ongoing maintenance ensures systems continue to meet standards and provide optimal performance:
Annual Maintenance Tasks
- • Heat pump filter cleaning and servicing
- • Extractor fan cleaning and function testing
- • Insulation condition inspection
- • Draught-stopping effectiveness check
- • Moisture barrier integrity assessment
- • Heating system efficiency evaluation
- • Ventilation system performance review
Tenant Education and Responsibilities
- • Proper heating system operation
- • Ventilation system usage guidelines
- • Condensation prevention techniques
- • Reporting maintenance issues promptly
- • Energy-efficient living practices
- • Understanding their rights and responsibilities
- • Participating in regular inspections
Performance Monitoring Benefits
- • Early problem detection: Identify issues before they become expensive
- • Compliance assurance: Maintain standards throughout tenancy
- • Energy optimization: Maximize efficiency and minimize costs
- • Tenant satisfaction: Ensure comfortable, healthy living conditions
- • Property protection: Prevent damage from moisture and poor ventilation
- • Investment security: Maintain property value and rental income
How Climber Property Ensures Compliance
Initial assessment of all new properties to identify compliance gaps
Detailed reports with specific requirements and cost estimates
Contractor coordination for insulation, heating, and ventilation work
Documentation management including compliance statements and records
Ongoing monitoring to ensure continued compliance and performance
Tenant education on proper system use and maintenance responsibilities
Ensure Your Property is Fully Compliant
We handle all aspects of Healthy Homes Standards compliance, from initial assessment to documentation and ongoing monitoring.
Get Compliance Help